Understanding Early Years Policy

"This book is excellent. It is very easy to read and it starts with the basics, before allowing the reader to be more reflective." - Michelle Smith, BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies and Early Years PGCE

Dedicated to providing a complete understanding of early years policy and the ability to evaluate its impact on practice, this book is an invaluable guide for early years students and professionals alike.

The Second Edition of this well-loved book has been substantially revised including:

• An entirely new chapter focusing on policy across England, Scotland, Wales, & Northern Ireland
• Discussion of the proposed new Early Years Foundation Stage
• Talk of the recent developments in Special Educational Needs
• An up-to-date timeline of key early years legislation

Packed with case studies and exercises this books holds up the links between policy and practice for everyone to see. Suitable for students at all levels and practitioners at all stages of their career this book is a must-have for navigating the minefield of early years legislation.

Peter Baldock worked extensively in early years education as a teacher, in community development, in registration and inspection of early years services, and as an Associate Lecturer with the Open University. His publications include three books on early years services, and he was actively involved in Sheffield′s 0-19+ Partnership on behalf of the voluntary sector.

Damien Fitzgerald PhD, is Head of Area for Early Childhood and Childhood at the Sheffield Institute of Education, Sheffield Hallam University. His research interests include gender and childhood, heteronormativity in family contexts and same-sex parenting and this informs his undergraduate and post-graduate teaching. Prior to working at Sheffield Hallam, he worked as an advisory teacher in early years special needs and in other teaching roles in schools. He is also qualified as a nurse working mainly in emergency care.

Janet Kay worked as a qualified social worker with children and families for some years before moving into teaching in further and then higher education. She has retired from full-time work, but still regularly lectures at Sheffield Hallam University, and is also working to promote better support for adoptive families in the UK.